The “Smalls” Nephrops Grounds (FU22) 2019 UWTV Survey Report and catch scenarios for 2020.

Abstract

This report provides the main results and findings of the fourteenth annual underwater television survey on the ‘Smalls grounds’ ICES assessment area; Functional Unit 22. The survey was multi-disciplinary in nature collecting UWTV, CTD and other ecosystem data. A total of 41 UWTV stations were surveyed successfully (high quality image data), carried out over an isometric grid at 4.5nmi or 8.3km intervals. The precision, with a CV of 9%, was well below the upper limit of 20% recommended by SGNEPS (ICES, 2012). The 2019 abundance estimate was 30% higher than in 2018 and at 1121 million is below the MSY Btrigger reference point (990 million). Using the 2019 estimate of abundance and updated stock data implies catch in 2020 that correspond to the F ranges in the EU multi annual plan for Western Waters are between 2247 and 2820 tonnes (assuming that discard rates and fishery selection patterns do not change from the average of 2016–2018). One species of sea pens were recorded as present at the stations surveyed: Virgularia mirabilis. Trawl marks were observed at 57% of the stations surveyed.